Turkmenistan Weekly News Analysis

In keeping with its long-standing and, at times, confusing foreign policy status of “permanent positive neutrality,” Turkmenistan pursues participation in global forums such as the Non-Alignment Movement (NAM), a conference dedicated to strengthening global dialogue for peace, security, and human development which President Berdymukhamedov has offered to host in Ashgabat in 2015. The 16th Summit of the Non-Aligned Movement was held from 26 to 31 August 2012 in Tehran, Iran, and was attended by leaders of 120 countries, including 24 presidents, 3 kings, 8 prime ministers and 50 foreign ministers. Its agenda primarily consisted of issues pertaining to nuclear disarmament, human rights and regional issues. It also focused on drawing up a new peace resolution to solve the crisis in Syria. At the Tehran summit Iran took over the leadership role in the Non-Aligned Movement from Egypt for the next three years.